How F1 could become a 25-race epic

Bernie Ecclestone teased the media in China by proposing a 25-race F1 calendar in the near future. Dieter Rencken analyses how this could become a reality

As he swept through the empty media centre in Shanghai for his annual informal chat with Chinese journalists, Formula 1 tsar Bernie Ecclestone expressed confidence that the Korean Grand Prix would take place as scheduled on 24 October despite rumours to the contrary.

In the week leading up to the fourth grand prix of the season the sprightly 79-year-old, he turns 80 in October, had inspected progress made at the facility located in Yeongam-gun in Jeollanam-do province, which is around 250 kilometres due south of the Asian country's capital Seoul. And he was adamant the inaugural race would go ahead as planned.